Which bilge keel cruiser would you recommend for us?

Quidi Vidi

Quidi Vidi

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Hi
We feel we have outgrown our current boat and we are starting to think about upgrading sometime in the future. I would like to spend £10k ish whereas SWMBO would like to spend half that, so i guess somewhere in the middle would be a good compromise. I am 6'3" so headroom is essential, we like bilge keelers, we are not interested in racing so very much comfort over speed is required. We sail short handed or single handed and coastal hopping in good weather is about as ambitious as we would get.
I have looked at adverts for Cobra's, jaguar 27's and Mcwester 28's and like them but not having ever seen one i would appreciate your comments on their suitability or any others that you can suggest. We have only ever had our current boat and have not been aboard any others so you help and advice is very much needed. We are not ready to buy yet as we would have to save hard and long first but we can dream, we just need to put some flesh on the bones of our dream and start getting a better idea of what we want and how much we need to save.
Over to you, oh wise ones!
 
You should certainly look at the Westerly Centaur or, if you want something slightly larger, the Pentland or Berwick depending on whether or not you want an aft cabin. However, your price might be challenging for the larger models.
 
You should get a good late model Centaur with a new engine ( which is important ) easily within your budget; they sail surprisingly well in the right hands, are seaworthy, lots of room and long berths and lots of backup from owners, ex owners and the Westerly Association.
 
Are you sure that you need headroom to enable you to stand? I'm the same height but very seldom stand when down below - much more comfortable to sit down. Using the galley is about the only time when it's necessary. You may not think that it matters but it's very difficult to get 6ft.+ headroom in a smallish boat without spoiling the lines - tends to result in too much freeboard and/or too high a coachroof.
 
Seajet said:
You should get a good late model Centaur with a new engine ( which is important ) easily within your budget; they sail surprisingly well in the right hands, are seaworthy, lots of room and long berths and lots of backup from owners, ex owners and the Westerly Association.
Click to expand...

Now added to our list, just looked at the Westerly owners site, lots of info as you say.
 
reeac said:
Are you sure that you need headroom to enable you to stand? I'm the same height but very seldom stand when down below - much more comfortable to sit down. Using the galley is about the only time when it's necessary. You may not think that it matters but it's very difficult to get 6ft.+ headroom in a smallish boat without spoiling the lines - tends to result in too much freeboard and/or too high a coachroof.
Click to expand...
I am willing to compromise on headroom but we want a lot of room in general, we have been cramped in our current boat and I suppose we are looking for comfort or as SWMBO puts it a weekend cottage afloat! She isn't keen on sailing but likes being on the boat and takes an active interest in it. We have a very quiet mid stream mooring which we both enjoy going too to chill out but find our current boat uncomfortable, however I also want a good sea keeping boat so I can sail solo.
We do all our own maintenance and beach her a couple of times a year which SWMBO gets fully involved in, you should see her get stuck into the scrubbing and anti fouling, so I want us both to continue enjoying owning a boat.
Anyway as I said, it will be sometime before we can upgrade but planning it is something we can both take a shared interest in and look forward too.
Thanks for all your replies, our list is growing longer so more research needed and perhaps some viewings so we can finalise our list, any experiences of similar boats (pro's and cons) would be much appreciated.
 
The last 3 issues of PBO have reviewed just what you are looking for bilge keel built between 1960-90. There is. Huge choice but at that price level condition is the main problem. Always plenty on the market look at to get an idea of what you can get for your money.
 
Quidi Vidi said:
Have to admit I very nearly dismissed this at first sight as your reply suggests a racy boat and only 25ft! I googled it anyway and my, I'm impressed! Not sure SWMBO will be keen though.
I also looked at the 29, oh if only!
Click to expand...

Sadler 26 then
 
Hi Quidi Vidi,

I've recently bought a 32' MacWester Wight Mk2, and although some I saw on the various websites were (and still are) asking more than your budget, I did see several that were in, or just above it. The cheapest (below your budget!) would have needed an awful lot of work but more time than cash, but others were definitely "fit for purpose". The best value one I saw was on eBay, but I was overseas and the seller was in a hurry because he was going overseas - if I remember correctly I think it went for about 8k!

Pleasant dreams,

Paul
 
If money is as tight as you say I would go for a well loved and "done up" Centaur - with a newish engine as others have said.
 
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